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3T Volume 38 Number 38 Weber State College Ogden, Utah March 7, 19 . 8 J L y By Robbie DeRooy The WSC Wildcats "stole the show" from the favored r hometown Montana Grizzlies Saturday night as the 'Cats captured a berth in this week's NCAA playoffs by virtue of a 62-57 overtime victory. Weber State won in Montana for the first time since 1973 by displaying a great amount of poise and confidence. The youthful Wildcats were not intimidated by Montana's "sixth man" their vocal crowd. For Weber State, it will make their first appearance in the NCAA Playoffs since 1973. The 'Cats head to Eugene, Oregon this Saturday for a match against highly-regarded Arkansas, who for one week this season held the number one ranking in the nation in Associated Press' poll. The 'Cats opened the tournament Friday night, disposing of Idaho State 84-79. The first half of this contest was extremely close as the lead see-sawed back and forth, and by halftime the Wildcats owned a slim two-point margin, 37-35. Weber State jc - opened up a brief eight point lead at the outset of the second half. Richard Smith canned three i - quick buckets , and at the 17:31 marK me score stood at 4t-3. The lead was short-lived. The Bengals battled back, outscoring Weber State 15-6 in the next five minutes. With 7:15 remaining, Lawrence Butler gave ISU their last lead of the game at 62-61. Enter Bruce Collins: the tournament's Most Valuable Player. The turning point of the game occurred at this juncture as the sophomore flash scored 10 points in the next four minutes. WSC outscored the Bengals in this stretch 13-4 to take a commanding eight point lead, 76-68, with 2:20 left. The Bengals could never recover and Weber found itself in the championship game for the third consecutive year. The Wildcat's front line of Smith, Johnson and Collins was awesome as the three sophomores combined for 68 points including a game-high 28 for "High-C." Weber won the battle of the boards 41-35, containing Jeff Cook and the ISU inside game. Butler paced the losers with 26 points. BSU-Montana The feature game of the opening round pitted BSU vs. the host team, Montana. The opening half was a game of chess as both squads used delay 'Cats surprise Montana to claim 'Big Sky' crown tactics to try to force each other out of the zone defense. The net result was that Trent Johnson, Boise's star senior forward, was whistled for three fouls and was delegated to the bench in trying to guard "Mr. All-Universe" Michael Ray Richardson. Despite Johnson's three fouls, the Broncos managed to stay close thanks to some long-range bombs by Steve Connor. At the half, the score stood Montana 28, Boise State, 25. The second half was a different story. Johnson quickly picked up foul number four and Montana's offense really opened up. Allan Neilsen, Montana's 6'6" forward, started finding the range from the outside and with Richardson's steals and aggressive inside play, the Grizzlies opened up a 13-point lead at 55-42. The Silver Tips were never threatened again and fans were sensing a championship. The chant "We're number one" echoed throughout Adams Field House. Neilsen led the Grizzly attack with 24 points, while M.R. Richardson pitched in with 21 and a game-high seven rebounds. Connor closed out his illustrious career for the Broncos by netting 27 points, leaving him just eight shy of the all-time scoring record in a career in the Big Sky Conference held by Steve Hayes. Saturday game This then set the stage for Saturday night's dramatic championship game as the Wildcats displayed one of the guttiest performances ever witnessed by this reporter. Many "experts" in the Missoula area were picking the point-spread to be anywhere from 15 to 40 points. Weber coach Neil McCarthy made a last-minute change in his starting line-up by inserting 6'7" junior forward Kurt Moore. . The game itself was a slow-tempoed game with each team being deliberate and patient on offense and working only for a high-percentage shot. It wasnip-and-tuck for the first 10 minutes until the Grizzlies ran off eight unanswered points to take a 20 to 12 lead with 5:58 remaining in the first half. Weber countered and pulled to within four, but John Stroeder and Richardson closed out the first half scoring to boost the Montana lead to eight points, 28-20, at the half. Both teams played excellent defense in the opening 20 minutes but the real story was the Pholo l John Miiipr l.KI'T TO RIGHT: Kurl Moore, Asst. Conrh Vvli: Barry, Rol) Mckone, Dave Johnson, Jim Gibson, Itcn Howland, Richard Smith Bruce Collins, Darryl Brown, Coach Neil McCarthy, ASWSC President Mike llun-saker, and D-nnis Green are given a l,0OO-fan welcome in Wildcat Stadium Sunday afternoon after capturing the Big Sky Conference Championship. shooting percentages. Montana blistered the nets for a 54 percent average while the 'Cats could only manage 10 out of 30 from the field. Weber came out ready to play basketball in the second half. Smith, John and Collins scored 10 of the first 12 points. The 'Cats had amazingly tied the score at 30 all with 14:24 left. The next six minutes the game stood at a draw until Moore, Johnson and Smith scored key buckets to lift the 'Cats to a three-point lead, 47-44, with only 5:52 remaining. However, the Grizzlies weren't about the be denied as they regained the lead on an MR lay-up and two foul pitches by Neilson. WSC called time-out and set-up a play inside to Smith. "Smitty" missed a turn-around eight-footer in the lane but was fouled in the process and calmly proceeded to sink two pressure free-throws to give the 'Cats a 49-48 edge with one minute left. Montana's superstar, Richardson, had a chance to put it away with 21 seconds left, but could only convert one of two free-throws to knot the score at 49 all. Smith failed on a 10-foot jumper at the buzzer and for the second time in the brief three-year history of this post-season classic, the game would be decided in overtime. The University of Montana controlled the tip, but they were whistled for a travelling violation. Rob McKone then hit a continued on page3 Vet tuition waiver suggested By Nancy Bailey State legislatures in some states have passed bills giving veterans tuition waivers up to 80 percent. In their February meeting, the Weber State College Veterans Association (WSCVA) discussed support of such an issue for Utah veterans. George Brown, WSCVA Public Relations chairman, is researching the possibilities and the association plans on introducing the issue to the state legislature during its next session. Jody Bozeman, WSCVA Ways and Means committee chairman, reemphasized the need for an ad-versiting campaign to stress meeting attendance. The veterans also discussed transferring funds from its present checking account to the WSC Employees Credit Union. A report on the advisability of such an action will be brought up in the next meeting. Veterans in attendance voted unanimously that letterhead be purchased for official correspondence. The WSCVA has applied to The National Association of Concerned Veterans for membership. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 30 at 1 p.m. Inside today's Signpost I'holo feature Page 10 hdilorials Page t Spurts Pages '). 1 I. J 2

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3T Volume 38 Number 38 Weber State College Ogden, Utah March 7, 19 . 8 J L y By Robbie DeRooy The WSC Wildcats "stole the show" from the favored r hometown Montana Grizzlies Saturday night as the 'Cats captured a berth in this week's NCAA playoffs by virtue of a 62-57 overtime victory. Weber State won in Montana for the first time since 1973 by displaying a great amount of poise and confidence. The youthful Wildcats were not intimidated by Montana's "sixth man" their vocal crowd. For Weber State, it will make their first appearance in the NCAA Playoffs since 1973. The 'Cats head to Eugene, Oregon this Saturday for a match against highly-regarded Arkansas, who for one week this season held the number one ranking in the nation in Associated Press' poll. The 'Cats opened the tournament Friday night, disposing of Idaho State 84-79. The first half of this contest was extremely close as the lead see-sawed back and forth, and by halftime the Wildcats owned a slim two-point margin, 37-35. Weber State jc - opened up a brief eight point lead at the outset of the second half. Richard Smith canned three i - quick buckets , and at the 17:31 marK me score stood at 4t-3. The lead was short-lived. The Bengals battled back, outscoring Weber State 15-6 in the next five minutes. With 7:15 remaining, Lawrence Butler gave ISU their last lead of the game at 62-61. Enter Bruce Collins: the tournament's Most Valuable Player. The turning point of the game occurred at this juncture as the sophomore flash scored 10 points in the next four minutes. WSC outscored the Bengals in this stretch 13-4 to take a commanding eight point lead, 76-68, with 2:20 left. The Bengals could never recover and Weber found itself in the championship game for the third consecutive year. The Wildcat's front line of Smith, Johnson and Collins was awesome as the three sophomores combined for 68 points including a game-high 28 for "High-C." Weber won the battle of the boards 41-35, containing Jeff Cook and the ISU inside game. Butler paced the losers with 26 points. BSU-Montana The feature game of the opening round pitted BSU vs. the host team, Montana. The opening half was a game of chess as both squads used delay 'Cats surprise Montana to claim 'Big Sky' crown tactics to try to force each other out of the zone defense. The net result was that Trent Johnson, Boise's star senior forward, was whistled for three fouls and was delegated to the bench in trying to guard "Mr. All-Universe" Michael Ray Richardson. Despite Johnson's three fouls, the Broncos managed to stay close thanks to some long-range bombs by Steve Connor. At the half, the score stood Montana 28, Boise State, 25. The second half was a different story. Johnson quickly picked up foul number four and Montana's offense really opened up. Allan Neilsen, Montana's 6'6" forward, started finding the range from the outside and with Richardson's steals and aggressive inside play, the Grizzlies opened up a 13-point lead at 55-42. The Silver Tips were never threatened again and fans were sensing a championship. The chant "We're number one" echoed throughout Adams Field House. Neilsen led the Grizzly attack with 24 points, while M.R. Richardson pitched in with 21 and a game-high seven rebounds. Connor closed out his illustrious career for the Broncos by netting 27 points, leaving him just eight shy of the all-time scoring record in a career in the Big Sky Conference held by Steve Hayes. Saturday game This then set the stage for Saturday night's dramatic championship game as the Wildcats displayed one of the guttiest performances ever witnessed by this reporter. Many "experts" in the Missoula area were picking the point-spread to be anywhere from 15 to 40 points. Weber coach Neil McCarthy made a last-minute change in his starting line-up by inserting 6'7" junior forward Kurt Moore. . The game itself was a slow-tempoed game with each team being deliberate and patient on offense and working only for a high-percentage shot. It wasnip-and-tuck for the first 10 minutes until the Grizzlies ran off eight unanswered points to take a 20 to 12 lead with 5:58 remaining in the first half. Weber countered and pulled to within four, but John Stroeder and Richardson closed out the first half scoring to boost the Montana lead to eight points, 28-20, at the half. Both teams played excellent defense in the opening 20 minutes but the real story was the Pholo l John Miiipr l.KI'T TO RIGHT: Kurl Moore, Asst. Conrh Vvli: Barry, Rol) Mckone, Dave Johnson, Jim Gibson, Itcn Howland, Richard Smith Bruce Collins, Darryl Brown, Coach Neil McCarthy, ASWSC President Mike llun-saker, and D-nnis Green are given a l,0OO-fan welcome in Wildcat Stadium Sunday afternoon after capturing the Big Sky Conference Championship. shooting percentages. Montana blistered the nets for a 54 percent average while the 'Cats could only manage 10 out of 30 from the field. Weber came out ready to play basketball in the second half. Smith, John and Collins scored 10 of the first 12 points. The 'Cats had amazingly tied the score at 30 all with 14:24 left. The next six minutes the game stood at a draw until Moore, Johnson and Smith scored key buckets to lift the 'Cats to a three-point lead, 47-44, with only 5:52 remaining. However, the Grizzlies weren't about the be denied as they regained the lead on an MR lay-up and two foul pitches by Neilson. WSC called time-out and set-up a play inside to Smith. "Smitty" missed a turn-around eight-footer in the lane but was fouled in the process and calmly proceeded to sink two pressure free-throws to give the 'Cats a 49-48 edge with one minute left. Montana's superstar, Richardson, had a chance to put it away with 21 seconds left, but could only convert one of two free-throws to knot the score at 49 all. Smith failed on a 10-foot jumper at the buzzer and for the second time in the brief three-year history of this post-season classic, the game would be decided in overtime. The University of Montana controlled the tip, but they were whistled for a travelling violation. Rob McKone then hit a continued on page3 Vet tuition waiver suggested By Nancy Bailey State legislatures in some states have passed bills giving veterans tuition waivers up to 80 percent. In their February meeting, the Weber State College Veterans Association (WSCVA) discussed support of such an issue for Utah veterans. George Brown, WSCVA Public Relations chairman, is researching the possibilities and the association plans on introducing the issue to the state legislature during its next session. Jody Bozeman, WSCVA Ways and Means committee chairman, reemphasized the need for an ad-versiting campaign to stress meeting attendance. The veterans also discussed transferring funds from its present checking account to the WSC Employees Credit Union. A report on the advisability of such an action will be brought up in the next meeting. Veterans in attendance voted unanimously that letterhead be purchased for official correspondence. The WSCVA has applied to The National Association of Concerned Veterans for membership. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 30 at 1 p.m. Inside today's Signpost I'holo feature Page 10 hdilorials Page t Spurts Pages '). 1 I. J 2